WE ARE ALLIES Colonel Paul Clayton Commander of the eFP Command in Estonia
T
hank you for making 2019 such a rewarding experience for all of the UK soldiers serving in Estonia. There have been challenging exercises, new training opportunities, new partners to work with, enduring friendships and learning from each other. In 2019 we said goodbye to the Yorkshire Regiment and the King’s Royal Hussars who together with Belgian and French partners contributed substantially to the integration and security of Estonia shoulder to shoulder with the 1st Estonian Infantry Brigade and Estonian Defence League. Towards the end of the year we welcomed the Queen’s Royal Hussars during the exercise Tractable along with paratroopers from 16th Air Assault Brigade who took part in the largest airborne jump in Estonia. The year began with a focus on developing our training and ability to operate in extreme cold weather conditions. Ice breaking drills were overseen by highly experienced Royal Marine Mountain Leaders alongside lessons delivered by the instructors of the Estonian Defence Forces. This preparation made certain we were prepared to maximize the benefit from the Winter Camp training exercise, which saw Estonian, Belgian and British units working alongside each other and demonstrating our ability to operate as a team. This unity and readiness was built on during the Spring Storm exercise. Ten thousand NATO soldiers from 10 alliance members proved to be a powerful demonstration of cohesion and ability to train together. Apache helicopters deployed to Estonia for the first time alongside a contingent of Wildcat helicopters returning for a second deployment after the success of their first deployment in 2018. This proved excellent training for the eFP, exercising in Sillamäe on the streets and providing reassurance to the population that NATO was committed to the security of Estonian freedom and independence. The summer months proved no holiday with exercise Baltic Protector arriving in the Baltic Sea. British Royal Marines and members of the Estonian Defence League were in action side by side at Kolga Bay, reinforcing bonds of friendship, demonstrating the ability of Joint Expeditionary Force nations to deliver a flexible and effective capability at speed. It was also an opportunity to work with the Baltic Air Policing mission from 33
